Internationale groepsreis Walking the Fjords

Walking the Fjords - Norway

An excellent holiday! The walking was wonderful, the scenery stunning, food fantastic, and the guide generous, (I like alliteration!). We stayed at Ned Guard where our room was very comfortable and the staff brilliant. Our guide, Asbjorn Manum, was a wonderful host who shared his love of hiking with the group. A gentleman of, let's say, more mature years, but still walked up the steepest slopes like a youngster.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

We took the optional trip to walk on a glacier. Once geared up with crampons, ice axe, harness and rope, we were taken on a stunning two hour walk on the glacier including descending through an ice cave. Our guide for the trip was a young Nepalese man who told me he had climbed Everest 9 times - can't accuse him of lacking mountaineering experience!

What did you think of your group leader?

Asbjorn was an excellent host and guide. Having climbed up the mountain, he would produce tea and coffee that he had carried up with him, and small mats for everyone to sit on. He also loved to tell us stories about the area and its history. A wonderful man. I hope I'm as fit as he is when I reach his current age!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The weather can be variable, so make sure you pack both tee shirts and shorts, and something much warmer. Gloves and hats are essential for some of the walks. On our last day we walked at around 1,400m elevation and the temperature was only just about freezing with a brisk wind blowing.Z

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is our third Exodus holiday and yet again we found we were travelling with a wonderful and diverse group of people.

Walking in Norway

A brilliant holiday

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing to the top of the waterfall in the spray and on hands and knees at times!!! But we all did it ( with ages up to 81). Truely inspirational view.

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent. He couldn't do enough for us. Was exceptionally encouraging.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

All weather gear

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I hope to see more of Norway. The hotel and food were delightful.

Walking the Fjords

The superb walking with plenty of spectacular and varied landscapes along the way would by itself make for great trip, but what makes it special is staying at the guest house at Nes Farm. The accommodation is comfortable, the location is wonderful and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Asbjorn & Mari, are the perfect hosts and together with their staff, work hard to keep their guests happy. They also have a good chef, so the standard of the breakfasts and dinners is excellent. As a cautionary note, the 'wow' factor on this trip may depend on the weather. I'm not sure if we were particularly lucky, as we did have rain on some days, but generally it was only for a short duration and nothing that detracted from the enjoyment of any of the walks. There again, they had just experienced two months without much rain before we arrived, so you never can tell.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I enjoyed the Molden peak walk the best with its stunning views of the Sognefjord, closely followed by the Vigdal to Navarsete walk in Breheimen National park with its glacial landscapes and changing scenery. Meeting the Norwegians and listening to their stories. Beyond that, just enjoying the serenity of Nes Farm! Taking an early morning swim in the fjord (very cold but just about bearable for a short dip), then relaxing with a coffee in the living room before breakfast. Enjoying a glass of wine or a beer, at the end of a satisfying days' walking or after dinner, while taking in the lovely views over the Lustrafjord. I'm sorry, but I could drone on about this endlessly...

What did you think of your group leader?

Asbjorn was the guide for the duration of our trip. As well as being an exceptional guide, he's also a lovely man and it was a great pleasure to have met both him and Mari. As you might expect from a former teacher, he was knowledgeable on all matters relating to the trip and good at imparting it with a sense of dry Norwegian humour. The itinerary was tailored to the weather conditions on the day rather than following the order in the trip notes, although to be honest, I wouldn't have put it past him to have fixed the weather for us as well.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Although the trip is correctly graded as moderate, it does require a reasonable level of fitness to cope with the uphill sections, especially if it gets warm, so read the trip notes and be honest about your own abilities. Be prepared for sun, warm, cold and wet weather. It can get cool in the evenings so a fleece is a good idea, but I don't think that thermals or gaiters are required. Poles can be useful when going over streams or very brief sections on snow, but if you don't normally use them then they are not necessary. I would definitely take eye shields as it hardly get dark at all during the evening. Waterproof boots are are must for crossing very wet ground, snow and streams. If you want to take energy food on the walks, then ask Asbjorn if you can stop at a local supermarket to stock up rather than take it with you. A word on tipping, which does appear to becoming more commonplace in Norway in restaurants and so on. Our group didn't tip Asbjorn as he and Mari own Nes Farm; however, we did take a collection for the staff - this was not expected but was very much appreciated by them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you have the time, I would strongly recommend travelling in Norway either before or after the trip. Getting around by ferry and train is a lot of fun and it is easy to book NSB rail tickets via the internet or mobile app. The group trip ends at Bergen Airport, so one admittedly backtracking option is to make you way from Bergen by train to Voss and then bus to Guvangen. From Voss & Gudvangen there is a variety of activities that you can do, including kayaking on the Naeroyfjord. From Guvangen you can catch a very scenic ferry ride along the Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden to Flam. From Flan you can travel on the famous Flamsbana railway to Myrdal then onto Oslo. Others on our trip, flew into Oslo first then made their way to Bergen by train. It is worth spending a few days in Bergen and the fjord cruise to Rosendal make for a very nice day trip.

Walking the Fjords

This is a trip with some cultural content for walkers who are capable of hiking up hills and walking for between 4-6 hours a day. The scenery is stunning.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

This is a difficult question. I think probably walking across a high plateau, and seeing snow capped mountains in the distance.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader was excellent. He had a deep love of his home; an encyclopaedic local knowledge; and knew much of his country's history as well. He adjusted the programme according to the weather, and other factors.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Do this holiday if you are something of a hiker who can climb hills on rocky paths. Do not do this holiday if you only walk in towns or in parks, and do not have a decent degree of fitness.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I honestly cannot remember enjoying a holiday more, and the weather was good.

WALKING THE FJORDS

The landscape was just out of this world - my jaw was almost permanantly dropped! I've seen a million pictures of the fjords so I thought I knew what to expect but actually, once you're there it's like stepping through a gateway to another world, simply awe-inspiring. No National Geographic image can quite prepare you for how small you feel. One lady on the trip was an artist and she took a sketch pad with her, which I thought was a wonderful idea. The guest house was another surprise - it's so quaint! And the dinners - well, it's lucky we were walking all day! Three course meals every evening, truly superb. Even the breakfast was seriously impressive - they bake their own bread so you have fresh rolls, and pick their own fruit from the orchard. The chef is a truly talented individual! 

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I loved the waterfalls - just the raw power of nature, feeling the spray on your face and hearing the incredible thunder as the water crashes down. I could never get bored of the view out of the guest house window - overlooking the fjord with the huge waterfall on the opposite bank. The water is so clean in Norway that you can just refill your waterbottle from the icy streams all around you and apparently if you go in August you can pick wild blueberries along the paths!

What did you think of your group leader?

Asbjorn was excellent - he seems something of a local celebrity, I swear everyone knew him and gave us a friendly wave! His passion for history and the great outdoors is evident - he used to be a teacher, so he's really interactive. He won't just tell you why the fjords are green or what that particular carving inside the church represents, he'll ask and make you all call out guesses - quite a giggle! 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I'd suggest taking a variety of clothes - the weather can be quite changeable, so you want a backpack big enough for proper waterproofs although I mainly used mine for when we got close to the waterfalls! The trip notes aren't joking when they say about fully waterproof boots - mine are full leather and I was very grateful! Don't worry about a camel back unless you particularly like them, as you can refill bottles from the fresh water streams on all but one day.  If you fancy a refreshing swim in the (glacier-fed) fjord, take a swimming costume as you can do so! It's about 150metres from the guest house so you can wander down whenever you like. It's not as cold as you think but it will definitely catch your attention!  

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The best bit about this trip is you are in proper walker's terriorty. There are no big cruise liners or ugly crowds anywhere; it's very peaceful. You pass some farms but with the exception of the ferry ride through the Narrowfjord everyone else we saw had hiking boots on, and there weren't even many of those.  Take a big memory card, you'll need it! It's perfect for a scenery junkie.  It is an expensive trip but Norway is generally quite costly; once you're there the price makes a lot of sense, particularly considering the quality of the food and the guest house; it feels much more than three stars.   

WALKING THE FJORDS

This was a wonderful trip that I can highly recommend. Beautiful country to visit, great walks, lovely accommodation with superb food, brilliant leader.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Each day was different and difficult to choose any particular highlight. The optional glacier walk was well worth doing and very good value; pancakes in a mountain hut at 2,000 feet, spectacular waterfalls alongside the footpaths......  The journey to the centre involved a 2 hour ferry so you even experience the feel of a fjord cruise.

What did you think of your group leader?

THe group leader was really good. He worked hard as the guest house host, guided us on spectacular walks after driving us up steep winding roads, talked about Norwegian culture and ensured we were all sent safely on our way back home. His staff were really great, and he and his wife ensured a very pleasant stay.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You will have plenty of photo-opportunities, so don't forget your camera! Take sufficient money for a meal in Bergen and any going home gifts, and for drinks with your evening meal. Not much else to pay for, other than the optional glacier trip (and you can pay by card anyway).

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Enjoy it and relax. The walks are at a relaxed pace and not too demanding, but can be modified according to the group abilities. This has whetted my appetite to return to Norway.

WALKING THE FJORDS

A great escape! The trip was appropriately graded: the hikes were just challenging enough to make it feel like we'd earned our suppers! The food, service and accommodation at Nes Gard were first class - well above expectations. Asbjorn, Mari and their staff were wonderful. Eric was a fantastic guide too. We enjoyed ourselves very much!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

WALKING THE FJORDS

Superb trip. Fantastic walking, each day very different scenery.  Great accomodation, with excellent food. Very friendly hosts, felt like you were staying in a private house, rather than a hotel.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The views, especially up in the mountains,  looking across at the snow covered peaks and the glaciers. Stunning.

What did you think of your group leader?

Asbjorn, trip leader an absolute star. Everything well planned and organised. Really friendly and passionate about the area.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

WALKING THE FJORDS

I have been on numerous Exodus trips over the past ten years and the Walking the Fjords has been the best. Why! Quite simply the accommodation and food was first class and plenty of it. The Hosts and staff at Nes Gard worked tirelessly to make our week memorable.  As for the treks each was unique in scenery and condition under foot, ending with a course on using crampons which included a climb over the glacier. It also helps being blest with excellent weather. Making this a trip to remember.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Asbjorn had it all planned out in advance and everything went like clockwork

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

WALKING THE FJORDS

I was extremely disappointed that the leader thought I was not fit enough to take part in the walks, without any justification.  I would not have booked the holiday if I thought I was not fit enough, as it would be unfair on other guests and I would not have enjoyed that.  I have been taking part in walking and other activity holidays for many years, and am well aware of my capabilities.   I was not allowed to take part in the glacier walking trip, the main reason I booked the holiday - even though the guidebooks said there were trips for all levels of ability, and I have done glacier walking before.   I have never enountered any problems before. 

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The stunning scenery.

What did you think of your group leader?

See above.  I was not given any opportunity to question his decisions.  Being made to stay behind was very demoralising and embarassing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

great holiday all round

our host at Nes Farm was excellent ,changing the order of our walks to suit the weather pattern ,giving us great information about Norway's history and sharing his passion for the outdoors and his country. Food and hospitality made this trip special. Jillian

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Asborg ,our group leader, was outstanding he made many moments inspirational

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Walking in Norway 28th to 4th Sept

The only problem I have with waking in Norway was the tracks . They are in a state of great repair . Ground in places need to be leveled out . Some rocks need to be removed . New soil needs to be placed down in most places. As below

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Scenery

What did you think of your group leader?

He was very good no issues

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

As above the walking tracks only

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The food, accommodation and guide were 100%